Shuttle threading block



Oct. 1, 1957' s. MALLARD suu'rruz THREADING BLOCK Filed July 23, 1954 INVEN TOR. ROBERT G. MALLARD A TTORNE Y United States Patent ()fiice r 2,808,075 Patented Oct. 1 1957 SHUTTLE THREADING BLOCK Robert G. Mallard, Hopedale, Mass., assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Application July 23, 1954, Serial No. 445,356

3 Claims. (Cl. 139-423) This invention relates to threading blocks for loom shuttles and more particularly, to improvements therein directed toward speeding up and rendering more certain the threading thereof.

It is an object of the invention to devise a unitary cast threading block having a longitudinal thread channel and to provide means cooperating with that channel and a threading slot therefor which shall aid in rapid and certain threading of the filling into the channel and retain it therein under all normal weaving conditions.

Other objects will appear from the following more detailed disclosure.

Shuttles for automatic looms are provided with a threading block (shuttle eye) into which filling is threaded at the first pick after transfer of a fresh supply to the shuttle, usually partially at the first pick and then completely at the second pick. These blocks are formed with a longitudinal thread channel, a horn curved to form a lip *for restraining the filling and inclined thread influencing surfaces for guiding the filling to a side eye. A filling thread entrance slot normally connects with the channel presenting a conduit of a sort by which the filling may enter the channel. In most instances the channel is shaped as a scroll or is supplemented by an attached scroll-like member into which the filling may enter but from which it may not easily become unthreaded. However in instances these do become unthreaded, and generally speaking, the more certain against unthreading, the more diificult to thread and also to manufacture.

For various reasons known to those conversant with this art, threading blocks of cast iron with a thread channel machined from an integral casting are desirable but hard to produce and more costly than other eyes.

According to the instant invention, a cast iron or other solid type block follows more or less conventional design except for its longitudinal thread channel, entrance slot and means cooperating therewith. The channel is preferably drilled in the solid metal and a slot cut downwardly, either on the vertical or, more preferably, at an angle. This slot cuts across a segment of the channel to provide an entrance thereto. This entrance is at the side and toward the top of the channel so that, without more, filling would not be trapped therein even if threaded. A combined channel closing member and threading aid is so positioned in the slot that under the influence of spring means it closes the entrance to the channel. It is also formed with thread influencing grooves so inclined or directed as to feed the filling, once it enters the top of the slot, downwardly and into the channel.

The invention will be described in greater detail by reference to one preferred embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying figures of drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of part of a shuttle to which the invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the shuttle of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the threading 2 V blockshown by way of illustration of a preferred form which the invention may take.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the same block. 'Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of a thread confining and influencing member which. forms a part of the block.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a shuttle 10 of wood or other suitable material carries in the usual way a filling supply F on a bobbin the tip of which is shown at 11. This filling is threaded through a threading blockgenerally designated at 12, the filling being directed laterally through a side eye 13. The block shown to larger scale in Figs. 3 and 4 is comprised of a body portion 14, horn 15 terminating in a thread confining lip 16, apron 17 and a filling camming surface 18 terminating at a side eye trap or recess 19. The threading block is held in an indentation cut in the material of the shuttle by. cross bolt 20 which passes through hole 21' and cooperates with various notches and cut out parts of the shuttle in a known manner.

This block is preferably cast from iron although brass or other metals may be used, and as cast will have no longitudinal thread channel or entrance slot. These are machined, the channel 21 by drilling and the slot 22 is in eflect, a saw cut, but may be machined in any convenient way. Preferably, the slot is cut on an angle as shown, but may be vertically disposed in some instances. It cuts across a small segment of the channel to provide an entrance from the slot to the channel, thus leaving an open sided channel.

I The entrance being at the side and high on the channel the latter would not retain or trap filling if it were threaded therein. The channel and slot are supplemented by a pad member 23 which is formed as shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. This pad is bent at its top end to provide an anchoring or guide lug which fits loosely in a hole 25 in the body of the block at the upper part of the slot opposite the channel. The lower end of the pad is drilled at 26 for reception of a guide pin 27 driven into the block body across the slot at its lower end. A spring 28 retained in a hollow screw 29 threaded into the block bears against the pad adjacent its midpoint and presses it against the opposite wall of the slot, thereby closing the entrance to the channel.

The pad not only closes the channel off to retain filling once threaded, but also aids in the threading. It is formed at its top end with a plurality of thread deflecting grooves or ridges 30 such, e. g., as described in United States Patent No. 2,046,287. These extend down to about the center of the channel entrance and are inclined downwardly and forwardly toward the horn end of the block. Pressure due to spring 28 may be adjusted, but a light resilient influence is all that is required.

The whole block is tumbled to smooth all surfaces and the channel may be reamed if desired, but its end is countersunk as shown and it is to be understood that the pad 23 bears closely against the slot side and effectively prevents trapped filling from escaping as it whirls or balloons about as drawn off the supply. However, as is known, filling sometimes behaves peculiarly and undesired loops become caught, e. g., about the .horn, and these must be shed if the loom is to continue to weave. The rear part of the channel and entrance thereto are suitably formed so that loop shedding can be accomplished and the pressure of pad 23 is not so great that the filling cannot be withdrawn momentarily as it must be. After a loop is shed the filling is immediately rethreaded, the rapid threading action of the pad and grooves 30 being a decided aid at that time.

To review the action, as a bobbin transfer is effected at replenishment, the filling lies above the shuttle end in line with the slot 27. Immediately the shuttle is picked the tension in the filling tends to enter it between the pad and slot edge and it is. drawn past the grooves 30 in the padbeing rapidly forced down to enter into thechannel 21. The pad then closes-the entrance to that channel and the filling is effectively trapped. I

The grooves 30 may be fairly large asshown here,-.but in instances, especially with. some materials, maybe smaller, i. e., more in the nature. of scratches. 'The angle at which they are cut is preferably about 45ito'lthethorizontal, but that may bevaried.

It is to be understood that details 'of the invention vary with its application. to 'diiferent' threading blocks and that it may be applied to blocksiof widely ,ditr'eringtypes.

The invention is not limited to use with, a-ithreading block whichtakes two picks .to thread', but ,mayas well be employed with such blocks designed ,to thread completely on the'initial pick.

While one embodiment ofthe invention has, beendisclosed, it is to be understood thatthe inventive concept may be carried out in a number ofways. Thisinvention is, therefore, not tobelimited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace Lall Variati0ns=and modifications thereof falling .withinithespirit 10f the invention and the scope of the'claims.

I'claim:

1. In a loom .shuttlethreading. block which comprises a body portion, a horn and means for 'directinglfilling toward a side eye, a longitudinalthre'adchannelwand means defining an entrance'slot to said channel, said channel being open at its side adjacent" the slot, and ,rneansfor assisting in "threading filling into said channel and for confiningit therein which comprises a pad member movable laterally of the slot, inclined thread deflecting ridges at the thread engaging surface of said pad member, and resilient means for urging said pad member into a channel closing position.

2. In a loom shuttle threading block whichcomprises a body portion, a horn and means for directing "filling toward a side eye, a longitudinal thread channel and means defining an entrance slot to said channel, said channel being open at its side adjacent the slot, and means for assisting in threading filling into said channel and for confining it therein which comprises a pad member having extending from substantially the top portion thereof to a part thereof adjacent the entrance to said channel a series of inclined thread deflecting ridges and means at the ends of the pad member for guiding it while permitting lateral movement within the slot, and spring means urging the pad member against the sideof theslotto close 011? the entrance to the channel.

3. In a loom shuttle threading block which comprises a body portion, a horn with a thread confining lip and a side eye recess, a longitudinal thread channel of general circular cross section and means defining .anentrance slot inclined to the verticaland cuttingacross said channel to provide an entrance from said slot to the channel, and means for assisting in threading filling-intosaid channel and for confining it therein which comprises a pad member having extending fromsubstantially thetop portion thereof to a part thereof adjacent the entrance to said channel a series of-inclined thread deflecting ridges and means at the ends of the pad member for guiding it while permitting lateral movement within the slot, and spring means urging the pad member, against the side of the slot to. close 'ofi the entrance to the channel.

; References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,336,805 Allen ...Apr. 13, 1920 1,046,287 Burdett June 30, 1936 2,288,960 Teague July .7, 1942 

